Province faces water shortage, saline encroachment

QUANG NAM – Salinity has caused pumping stations to cease operations and thousands of people to suffer from a lack of water in the central province of Quang Nam.

A Vietnam News Agency correspondent reported that prolonged draught had made many local reservoirs, lakes and streams dry up recently, creating favourable conditions for saline encroachment.

While the saline volume in Thu Bon River was measured at between 1,700 and 6,000mg per litre, the Health Ministry regulated that water with below 200mg per litre levels would be pumped into treatment tanks before distribution.

Many water factories have failed to supply water to local residents with the Nam Phuoc facility in Duy Xuyen District having completely stopped work, causing a shortage amongst nearly 2,600 households and offices.

The Hoi An water factory, capable of absorbing water three hours per day, meets half of the demand by supplying about 5,000 clients, including hotels, restaurants and local residents, with only 4,000cu.m instead of 8,000 per day.

Pham Minh Hai, a resident in Hoi An, said his family has been much distressed due to the lack of water in recent days. "Although I bought a tank of water, it has not been enough."

In an effort to prevent draught, director of Quang Nam Water Supply and Drainage in Duy Xuyen District, Vo Van Phuong, said his company has kicked off all 19 big drill wells to absorb underground water, but not at full capacity because they could be broken by alum. Their efforts have met only 60 per cent of demand, however.

Provincial authorities have decided to dredge Vu Gia River to lead water to the Ai Nghia pumping station, watering more than 400 ha of rice and subsidiary crops. Besides, Quang Nam Irrigation Exploitation Company has let out water from Phu Ninh Reservoir to reduce salinity in some areas in Tam Ky District. -- VNS